2026 Art Exhibition
When I wrote about this year’s exhibition in your winter 2025 newsletter my wife, Sandra, was in hospital, but still very much engaged with ensuring that the exhibition, now a popular feature in Holland Park, would be as successful as ever. Since then, Sandra has sadly passed away. Trustees Jennie Kettlewell and Isabelle Beaumont are working with Alex French to coordinate the event organisation that Sandra used to do so ably. I will continue to curate the exhibition and, between us all, we will make sure it is as excellent as ever.
I was delighted when the trustees invited me to be the feature artist this year and I might surprise you with art from different stages of my career. There will be examples of a Gordon you probably don’t know!
Of course, the exhibition is about you, the artists. We look forward to welcoming back many artists who have become friends and artists who are new to exhibiting in The Orangery. If you are not entering work, then come along and see the great show we put on and perhaps buy one of the pieces.
Please note: Artists must have their completed forms, showing details of all their exhibits, to me by Friday 13 March 2026. We want all details correct in the catalogue, so please complete your exhibits form in legible capital letters.
Gordon French
Photo by the French family
Art Exhibition 2026 Timetable
Friday, 13 March Final date for completed artist exhibits forms to be received to allow catalogue listing
Friday, 10 April Artists deliver artworks to the Orangery, Holland Park 8.30-11am
Artists will be required to sign the catalogue to certify that all details shown are correct.
Friday, 10 April Hanging & Judging 11am – 6pm
Friday, 10 April Artists’ Reception 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Saturday, 11 April Exhibition open to the public. 10.30am to 6pm
to Sunday, 19 April Continues for 9 days 10.30am to 6pm with entry FREE OF CHARGE.
Monday 20 April Artists and buyers collect works, 9am – 11am
[February 2026]
2025 Art Exhibition Video
2026 Art Exhibition
Since our last exhibition I have really felt the unsettling nature of our times and to escape the news and its repercussions I disappear into my painting. To sit before a blank canvas with an idea in mind and developing that idea into a painting is all I need to survive. I hope you feel the same way, have been busy creating and only need this call to action to enter The Friends of Holland Park Annual Art Exhibition! Please register/pay the registration fee so I can send you the information/exhibit details forms.
The conditions of entry remain the same. Friends who are artists, and artists who become Friends, are invited to exhibit up to a total of ten works in the main exhibition. This can be made up of two framed works to hang on the walls, and up to eight unframed works for display in the browser print stands, the latter with a maximum size 70cm x 100cm (including cardboard mounts but no wooden mounts). Or it can be made up of ten three-dimensional objects such as ceramics, stoneware and small sculptures. The minimum sale price for works in the main exhibition is £75. Artists can also enter the Mini-Market of small works on offer at £65 or under, this includes cards and craft items but no paintings. 35% of the money from the sale of your artworks goes to The Friends, so that they can continue the important work they do in Holland Park.
Friends interested in exhibiting in the Art Exhibition, the Mini-Market, or both, need to register and pay £15 entry fee before they receive their artist exhibits forms. The easiest way is to register on our website. Please click HERE and pay the £15 entry fee.
REGISTRATION OPENS ON MONDAY 24 NOVEMBER. Artists who have registered for the main exhibition may include works in the Mini-Market at no additional cost. Please register as soon as possible, as space is limited.
Information about the exhibition is available on our website or from me, Gordon French, 19 Kensington Court Place, London W8 5BJ; email Gordon.l.french@gmail.com/ tel. 020 7937 7222. All the details regarding the 2026 exhibition, feature artist and sponsorship will be outlined in the spring newsletter.
Photo by C French
Gordon French
Artists who have registered for the main exhibition may include works in the Mini-Market at no additional cost. Please register as soon as possible, as space is limited.
Art Exhibition 2026 Timetable
Friday, 21 November 2025 Artist registration open.
Friday, 13 March, 2026 Final date for completed artist exhibits forms to be received to allow catalogue listing.
Friday, 10 April Artist deliver artworks to the Orangery, Holland Park 8.30-11am. Artists will be required to sign the catalogue to certify that all details shown are correct.
Friday, 10 April Hanging & Judging 11am – 6pm
Friday, 10 April Artist Reception 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Saturday, 11 April Exhibition open to the public 10.30am to 6pm.
Continues for 9 days 10.30am to 6pm - FREE OF CHARGE -
to Sunday, 19 April
Sunday, 19 April Artists and buyers collect works, 6.15pm – 7pm
Monday, 20 April Artists and buyers collect works, 9am – 11am
[November 2025]
Another great exhibition!
85 artists in The Orangery over nine days, with exceptional weather; there was excellent footfall, and our Feature Artist, Chris Hales, was well received with very healthy sales. 46 artists sold work, an excellent result and overall sales were higher than in 2024.
A huge thank you to idverde for transforming The Orangery into an Art Gallery, the trustees, stewards, volunteers and particularly Ilchester Estates for continuing to sponsor the Annual Exhibition.
Without the artists there would not be an exhibition and it was heartwarming to hear from so many that the standard was so high and how wonderful it was to be involved and they would see me next year.
A picture tells a thousand words. Below is a photographic record capturing the essence of this year’s exhibition. See you in The Orangery in Spring 2026.
Gordon French
[June 2025]